About Kochi

Kochi is a small clutch of picture-postcard islands off the Malabar Coast of Kerala. The Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch and British have stamped their personality on the city's art and architecture, yet the culture remains quintessentially Keralite.

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Sight Seeing

taj holidays

St. Francis Church

One of India’s oldest European buildings, this fascinating church dates back to 1506. The Portuguese, Dutch and British have bowed for prayer here and it also became Vasco da Gama’s final resting place for fourteen years before his remains were finally sent to Portugal.
Time : 7:00 AM
taj holidays

Mattancherry Palace

Also known as the Dutch Palace after the 1663 renovation, it houses stunning murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. Those who have a penchant for history will be amazed at how beautifully it is all preserved, including the collections of Kochi’s erstwhile rajas.
Time : 9:45 AM
taj holidays

Chinese Fishing Nets

Painting a spectacular silhouette against an orange sunset are Kochi’s giant spider-like fishing nets. Walk to Fort Kochi’s north-eastern shore to catch a glimpse of these cantilevered beauties, a legacy of the court of Kublai Khan and dating back to the 1400s. You will want a picture, or maybe more here.
Time : 9:00 AM

Activities To Do

taj holidays

Watch a Kathakali performance

If you’re intrigued by the stormy drama of this dance form, there is no place like the Kerala Kathakali Centre to better enjoy it. Shows are held every evening, and the centre also stages daily performances of the martial art Kalaripayattu and traditional music on most days.
Time : 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM
taj holidays

Find the freshest catch

Spend an evening walking down to the quay in Fort Kochi and watch it transform into an animated market, teeming with enormous squid, catfish and other succulent delicacies. It’s a colourful experience made even more so with the sounds of frenzied bargaining.
Time : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Shopping

taj holidays

Explore Jew Town

The fascinating Pardesi Synagogue sits in the middle of Jew Town, the centre of Kochi’s spice trade. Inhale the heady scent of ginger, cardamom and cloves, and rifle through antiques and souvenirs to find an old Kerala brass lamp or a mural awash in colour.
Time : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
taj holidays

Pick up saris at Ramachandran Handloom

This historic store is where you should load up on gifts of saris, settu mundus and kavanis in classic cream-coloured cotton with gold borders. The ancestors of the owner, S. P. Ramachandran, wove saris and dhotis for the Maharaja’s family in the old kingdom.
Time : 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
taj holidays

Wander through Lulu Mall

The one-stop shop for just about everything, the impressive Lulu Mall in Ernakulam stocks Indian as well as international brands. You can spend hours here as you shop, watch movies or go skating on the massive ice rink.
Time : 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
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Suggested Itinerary

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Full Day Itinerary
Admire the architecture: Begin at the glorious Mattancherry Palace, move on to the fascinating Pardesi Synagogue, and wind down at the historic churches.
Our Itinerary
Discover the Gems of Mattancherry Palace
Stand in Awe at Pardesi Synagogue
Go Back in Time at St. Francis Church
Pay Your Respects at the Dutch Cemetery
Marvel at the Santa Cruz Basilica
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